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No Groundswell Yet Among Employers for Consumer-Driven Health Plans

No Single Solution to Rising Health Costs Likely Given Employer Diversity

News ReleasesJuly 22, 2004

FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Alwyn Cassil: (202) 264-3484

ASHINGTON, D.C.Many employers are skeptical that
high-deductible health coverage tied to employer-funded spending accountsknown
as consumer-driven health planscan reduce their health costs, according
to a study released today by the Center for Studying Health System Change (HSC).

"Theres a lot of buzz from vendors and consultants about consumer-driven
health plans, but many employers are skeptical about cost savings for their
company," said Paul B. Ginsburg, Ph.D., president of HSC, a nonpartisan
policy research organization funded principally by The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
"Some have crunched the numbers for themselves and dont see the savings."

For example, one employer noted that 70 percent of the firms covered employees
had health care costs of less than $1,000 a year. This employer expected that
giving workers a $1,000 spending account would encourage workers to use more
services and raise costs, not lower them. Another employer said 30 percent of
its workforce did not take up the companys health insurance, reportedly because
the predominantly female workers were covered by spouses insurance. But funding
a spending account might prompt more workers to opt for coverage and increase
the firms costs, the employer believed.

Some employers, however, did expect consumer-driven health plans to slow their
cost growth. The key advantage of consumer-driven health plans, according to
these employers, is their potential to increase consumers financial stake in
their health care, to improve their understanding of the cost of care and to
reduce utilization.

The Center for Studying Health System Change is a nonpartisan policy research
organization committed to providing objective and timely research on the nations
changing health system to help inform policy makers and contribute to better
health care policy. HSC, based in Washington, D.C., is funded principally by
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and is affiliated with Mathematica Policy
Research, Inc.